NIU focuses on home finale, not BCS

Undefeated regular season, home winning streak important to Huskies' seniors

November 25, 2013|By Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune reporter

Safety Jimmie Ward and Northern Illinois can finish the regular season unbeaten for the first time in the modern era. (Kirk Irwin/Getty photo)

DEKALB, Ill. — NIU safety Jimmie Ward lingered on the field at Huskie Stadium last week after the victory over Ball State and eventually walked home alone, soaking in four seasons of memories.

"Dang, we came a long way," he said to himself.

The No. 14 Huskies (11-0, 7-0) will complete part of their journey Tuesday night in DeKalb in the regular-season finale against Western Michigan.

With a victory, this season's NIU team will be the first to finish with an undefeated record in the modern era. They'll also extend the Huskies' home winning streak to 26 games, a streak that dates to 2009.

"I've been wanting this since high school," Ward said. "I almost did it in high school. My senior year, the fifth game or sixth game we lost. To finally get it in college is phenomenal. I can't even express the happiness I feel inside. I know the whole team will be very happy too."

The Huskies already have clinched an appearance in the Mid-American Conference championship in Detroit on Dec. 6. They're assured of a bowl game, too, and may have received the break they needed Sunday when they passed No. 16 Fresno State in the BCS standings.

Only one non-qualifier can receive a bid to a BCS bowl if it finishes in the top 12 or in the top 16 and ahead of a champion from an automatic qualifier conference.

Of course, losing to the Broncos (1-10, 1-6) would destroy those hopes.

NIU coach Rod Carey said the Huskies aren't concerned about any scenarios and he has seen only parts of some Fresno State games.

"I don't have a case to make right now (for a BCS bowl) because we're not there, and we're not in it," he said. "It's that simple. We've got Western Michigan."

He described the Broncos as a team that has made improvements throughout the season and pointed out freshman receiver Corey Davis (913 yards and six touchdowns on 64 receptions) as a legitimate threat.

"You can tell by watching their games chronologically from the start to the end," Carey said of Western Michigan. "You can tell that some things are getting better. Obviously, they have an outstanding receiver in Corey Davis. ... He's making a lot of plays."

The Huskies said they are concentrating on finishing the right way on their home turf.

"It means a lot to the seniors, especially the fifth-year guys (who) are the only ones that have ever lost at Huskie Stadium," offensive lineman Jared Volk said. "We want to keep the tradition alive, 25 games to 26. We're looking forward to coming out and playing our best."